Imola Builds Grandstands, Abu Dhabi Remains Plan A – What's Happening with the F1 Season Finale?

As Formula 1 enters the final stretch of its season, which on paper includes three triple-header race weekends, the question of where the campaign will conclude remains. The races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi are still on the calendar, and the sport's management emphatically states that, for now, this remains Plan A.

At the same time, Formula 1 must be prepared for a scenario where these races might need to be canceled due to ongoing tensions in the Middle East. For this reason, behind the scenes, a green light has been given to work on Plan B. Unsurprisingly, this backup option is Italy's Imola circuit.

Sources within Formula 1 have informed motorsport.com that Imola organizers have already received permission to begin grandstand construction and prepare as if the Emilia-Romagna race will proceed. This doesn't mean it will definitely happen – Qatar and Abu Dhabi are still Plan A – but FOM needs an alternative to ensure a season finale after the Las Vegas Grand Prix, under any circumstances.

Building grandstands and continuing preparations without final race confirmation logically carries financial risks. However, paddock sources claim that Formula 1 is absorbing all these risks. This means FOM is fully funding the preparations, including temporary grandstand construction, and Imola will incur no financial losses, regardless of the outcome.

Should the Imola option ultimately prove unnecessary, this approach will cost Formula 1 money, but the sport has no other choice. After all, if the situation in the Middle East escalates a month before the planned races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, the world championship cannot afford to be without a ready Plan B.

This also underscores Formula 1's desire to wait as long as possible before making a final decision, given the significant financial appeal of the last two Middle Eastern race weekends. Initially, Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali stated a decision would be made by mid-September, but the situation has since evolved.

Several team principals now point to mid-October as the new deadline for clarity, although the sport's management emphasizes there is no hard deadline. From a logistical standpoint, there's no great urgency at this stage, as long as Imola is fully prepared to step in during the first weekend of December.